Altrincham residents say ‘it’s a great atmosphere, very easy-going, nice mixture of people. It’s superb’
It was one criticised as empty and a ‘ghost town’. But now, Altrincham residents feel nothing but fiercely proud of their sought-after town after its rapid rise to the best place to live in the North West.
Back in 2010, the Trafford market town was labelled a ‘ghost town’ by the national press and had the highest shop vacancy rates in the UK. A third of its shops stood empty. One of its two main shopping centres, The Graftons, was in administration.
Today, the picture couldn’t look more different. Altrincham is thriving. Rain, shine or snow, the town centre always feels busy and bustling.
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First established in 1290, its market has undergone a renaissance and is still going strong today. The market hall was redeveloped in 2014, turning it from a drab, outdated space to a thriving shopping and dining hub.
A growing number of independent businesses, restaurants, bars and cafés fill the high street, drawing people in. These are mixed in with big brands like M&S, Flannels and Waterstones, offering something for every shopper.
Residents are proud of their town and, it seems, with good reason. Altrincham was named the North West’s best place to live in this year’s The Sunday Times 2026 guide, an accolade it last won in 2020.
Judges praised its ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’ vibe, saying: “Alty is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands. Now it’s flying even higher.
“Co-working has arrived on the high street, with three floors of space at Foundation, in the old Rackhams department store; it also houses a bowling alley and the Yum Cha dim sum restaurant.”
As well as noting Altrincham’s development, the judges praised the town’s ‘stand-out’ schools, Georgian and Victorian terraced gems and its resident’s love for fitness.
‘It’s superb – it’s a great place to live’
Those living and working in the town agree with the judges’ assessment. Zoe Poole works as a solicitor at a local firm. The 28-year-old said the town has a ‘great community feel’.
She added: “It’s obviously had quite a resurgence in the last few years. The marketplace is great.
“Lots of people come through the town now that didn’t used to, and it’s nice. It’s been regenerated to a place that actually feels like it’s alive and it’s actually got a really nice community in it but you still get that sort of town feel.”
Retired chemist Paul, 62, has lived in the town for 35 years, saying it is a ‘fantastic place’ and he always likes coming back home to Altrincham when he has been travelling.
He added: “It’s got everything. I think it’s reinvented itself with the market, it’s got a good mix of local shops, is handy for Manchester with the direct tram, and yet you’re on the edge of the countryside as well.
“There’s a great atmosphere, very easy-going, nice mixture of people. It’s superb.”
Paul said he has seen the town struggle in years past, particularly as the Trafford centre is a short drive away. However, he feels Altrincham has ‘reinvented itself’ in recent years.
He continued: “I think it’s a great place to live and new shops are coming all the time.”
Businesses and charities also speak warmly of Altrincham. Jo Cushing, creative director of OYEZ Arts, based in the Town Hall, said local people are proud of the place it has become.
She added: “[When it was] said that it had the least number of shops open, the whole town got together. There were groups of people from all over the area and they wanted to change the town and change that title.
“The people here are very proud of where they are and where they live, and that is still true, 16 years later. They fight for Altrincham. They’re intensely proud about where we live and want it to succeed all the time.”
Rick Lister moved to Altrincham with his partner 15 years ago, and opened boutique store Madam Butterfly in Greenwood Street three years later. He said they picked Altrincham, despite the negative headlines, because they ‘had an inkling’ of what it could become.
The journey has been a ‘rollercoaster’, Mr Lister added, and he has seen many businesses come and go during that time.
“I think it’s great,” he continued, “I think it’s almost cool. That’s not something you would have ever said about Altrincham in the past.
“It’s perhaps not as cool or hipster-ish as say Chorlton locally, but it kind of bridges that gap.”
Mr Lister does, however, think Altrincham has a little further to go until it has it all. He said: “Oh, I love the town, don’t get me wrong. I’ve lived here a long time. But I think it lacks certain areas. I think it lacks any kind of live music scene or anything like that.”
Hill and Hill jewellers has stood in George Street for seven years. Manager Bethy Highton said The Sunday Times listing was ‘brilliant news’ and Altrincham was a ‘wonderful place’.
She added: “I think it’s a really lively, vibrant place. It’s got a really nice mix of people, a nice mix of independent businesses alongside some chains.
“It’s got a lovely green space. It’s very well maintained. It’s a lovely place to live.”
Trafford council has also celebrated Altrincham’s new title. Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said she was ‘delighted’ by the award, adding: “[Altrincham] is a huge success story and goes from strength to strength.
“It’s a wonderful mix of national and independent shops and has a thriving cultural scene, amazing leisure facilities and wonderful bars and restaurants. Trafford Council is committed to improving and regenerating all of its town centres and will continue to celebrate them all now and in the future.”
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